Dryer vent Cleaning

When it comes to the functionality of your dryer one of the most overlooked and forgotten parts is the ventilation. Since most people aren't fully aware of how their dryer works they may not understand where the moisture in the clothes go! They also most likely don't know what to check on or what to expect when it comes to dryer vents. Most people also are unaware just how dangerous it is to avoid checking and maintaining your dryer ventilation.

How your dryer works

Every dryer(except for a few exceptions) must vent out somewhere. Most dryers you can buy on the market work in a very straightforward way. The heating source inside the dryer is pulled through an internal vent across your clothes and into the drum assembly, then out to the exterior vent. Everyone knows to clean the lint trap before and after using the unit to ensure no lint buildup in the unit itself. Unfortunately there is no way to prevent every bit of lint seeping through your filter and out into your venting. Thats why its important to get a dryer vent cleaning service out to check your vents annually or bi-annually depending on your circumstances.

What to expect and what to look for

When it comes to dryer ventilation there is hardly a field that is so neglected by both contractors and homeowners. Regulations on dryer vents are not nearly as harsh nor strict as other things inside your home. Because of this the quality of ventilation can range anywhere between slightly troublesome to completely destroyed and dangerous. When inspecting your vent theres a few key things to look out for. First and foremost try to see how much airpressure is making it outside, try to find where the vent exits to and while the unit is running see how much air you can feel. There are tools to test airflow but you'll be able to know fairly quickly if the airflow is nonexistant. Be careful though as both bathroom vents and dryer vents typically look exactly the same. If you've noticed theres no airflow immediatly call a dryer vent cleaning specialist/service.

Dangers of an uncleaned vent

While you can easily assume the worst thing that could happen would be longer to dry clothes, but in fact there are far more things to worry about. Without proper venting you would be fortunate that your dryer would stop running. If your dryer is unable to vent quick enough it will eventually overheat and either blow the safety non-resetable fuse or damage the element. While this is most common problem, it is not a guarantee for your safety. Dirty dryer vents cause thousands of small to big house fires every single year. You're essentially directing heat into a lint filled metal tube, one small ignition of the lint and that tube and you've got a real problem on your hand.